Humber Hawks men’s soccer coach gives back

Feb 16, 2023 | Sports

Humber Hawks men’s soccer head coach, Michael Aquino, is a full-time teacher and voluntarily participates in community coaching.

He spends his weekends with the boys at the International Football Club (IFC) Academy in Vaughan, offering them his expertise.

“I think I have something to offer to help grow the game of soccer,” Aquino said.

Aquino most recently instructed the boys’ team from IFC Academy on Jan. 29, and said he found it rewarding to work with them.

“I enjoyed my time,” he said. “The boys I worked with are continuing to learn and excel.”

However, he said volunteer community coaching is no easy feat.

Michael Aquino, head coach of Humber's men's soccer team, volunteers at IFC to help develop the skills of young aspiring soccer players.

Michael Aquino, head coach of Humber's men's soccer team, volunteers at IFC to help develop the skills of young aspiring soccer players. Photo credit: Humber Athletics

Coaching kids who are still at a developmental stage is a world of difference compared to coaching the Hawks, he said.

Aquino said college athletes have their fundamental skills already nailed down.

Coaches at the college level aim to assemble a good team for a short season, with the goal of success, through events such as provincial and nationals, he said.

However, community coaching is more of a time commitment.

“Your 12-year-old becomes a 13-year-old becomes a 14-year-old,” he said. “They are continuing to learn the game, so you’re putting a plan in place that nurtures their development, seize their progress.”

Aquino said he had been working with different clubs in different positions, such as technical directing, programming, and overseeing.

Aquino said the club he is working with has now recently extended an invitation to him both because of his coaching experience and his son being involved in the group.

Ultimately he decided to work with them because “they are doing good things for the community,” he said.

The International FC has continued to “provide a good experience with the game, for kids to partake at different levels,” Aquino said.

He said the club welcomed players from different backgrounds, ranging from grassroots to competitive and beyond.

Aquino said the reason he enjoyed doing community coaching was his “love towards the game.”

He was happy to see how the World Cup had drawn more kids into soccer and excited them.

The players in the World Cup are role models for the kids, who they aspire to become, Aquino said.

He said Team Canada inspired the next generation by letting them think that they did that, “so can I.”